Systems and methods for inverting sheet-like materials

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, a system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials is disclosed. The system may include a frame, first element, a second element, a compression mechanism, and a rotational device. The first element may be movably coupled with the frame. The second element may also be movably coupled with the frame. The compression mechanism may be configured to compress the stack of sheet-like materials between the first element and the second element. The rotational device may be configured to rotate the frame between the first position and the second position, where in the second position the stack of sheet-like materials is inverted relative to the first position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to material handling. More specificallythe invention relates to inverting sheet-like materials.

In certain material handling operations, such as with printed-paperhandling, sequencing of materials may be relevant to multiple operationswhich handle the same materials. For example, during assembly ofmailings to a plurality of recipients, a first operation may producedocuments in a certain sequence. The operation may produce a stack ofsequenced documents with a first document being at the bottom and a lastdocument being at the top. The next operation may be configured toprocess the sequence of documents by starting with the first documentand proceeding to the last document in order. However, in the stack ofdocuments, the first document is at the bottom of the pile, inaccessibleto the new operation unless the documents are reoriented.

Reorienting the documents by hand, if possible, may be time consuming,introduce errors into the document sequencing, and/or physically damagethe documents. The systems and methods of the present invention providesolutions to these and other problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a system for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials is provided. The system may include a frame, first element, asecond element, a compression mechanism, and a rotational device. Thefirst element may be movably coupled with the frame. The second elementmay also be movably coupled with the frame. The compression mechanismmay be configured to compress the stack of sheet-like materials betweenthe first element and the second element. The rotational device may beconfigured to rotate the frame between the first position and the secondposition, where in the second position the stack of sheet-like materialsis inverted relative to the first position.

In another embodiment, a system for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials is provided. The system may include a first means forsupporting the stack of sheet-like materials in a first position and asecond means for securing the stack of sheet-like materials in the firstposition and supporting the stack of sheet-like materials in a secondposition. The system may further include a means for compressing thestack of sheet-like materials between the first means and the secondmeans. The system may also include a means for rotating the stack ofsheet-like materials between the first position and the second position,where in the second position the stack of sheet-like materials isinverted relative to the first position.

In another embodiment, a system for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials is provided. The system may include a delivery apparatus, aframe, a first element, a second element, a compression mechanism, amovement device, and a movement device. The delivery apparatus may beconfigured to deliver a plurality of sheet-like materials to a location.The first element may be movably coupled with the frame and configuredto receive the plurality of sheet-like materials from the deliveryapparatus. Each sheet-like material may be received on top of apreviously received sheet-like material to form the stack of sheet-likematerials. The compression mechanism may be configured to lower thefirst element as the plurality of sheet-like materials are received suchthat a top of the stack of sheet-like materials may substantially be ator below the location. The compression mechanism may also compress thestack of sheet-like materials between the first element and the secondelement. The movement device may be configured to move at least aportion of the delivery apparatus such that the location issubstantially at or above the top of the stack of sheet-like materials.The rotational device may be configured to rotate the frame from thefirst position to the second position, where in the second position thestack of sheet-like materials is inverted relative to the firstposition.

In another embodiment, a method for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials is provided. The method may include a step of receiving, on afirst element, sheet-like materials in a sequence to form the stack ofsheet-like materials. A first received sheet-like material may be at abottom of the stack of sheet-like materials, and a last receivedsheet-like material may be at a top of the stack of sheet-likematerials. The method may also include a step of compressing the stackof sheet-like materials between the first element and a second element.The method may further include a step of rotating the compressed stackof sheet-like materials. After rotation, the first received sheet-likematerial may be at the top of the stack of sheet-like materials, and thelast received sheet-like material may be at the bottom of the stack ofsheet-like materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in conjunction with the appendedfigures:

FIG. 1 is an axonometric drawing of a system for inverting a stack ofsheet-like materials;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the compression mechanism of the systemshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the rotational device of the system shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an axonometric drawing of a transport assembly as it mayinterface with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system capable ofbeing used in at least some portion of the systems and methods of thepresent invention.

Note that in the appended figures, similar components and/or featuresmay have the same numerical reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of thedisclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodimentswill provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing an exemplary embodiment. It will be understood that variouschanges may be made in the function and arrangement of elements withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

Specific details are given in the following description to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits,systems, processes, and other components may be shown as components inblock diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments inunnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes,algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessarydetail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as aprocess which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flowdiagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchartmay describe the operations as a sequential process, many of theoperations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition,the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminatedwhen its operations are completed, but could have additional steps notincluded in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function,a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process correspondsto a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the functionto the calling function or the main function.

The term “machine-readable medium” includes, but is not limited toportable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wirelesschannels and various other mediums capable of storing, containing orcarrying instruction(s) and/or data. A code segment ormachine-executable instructions may represent a procedure, a function, asubprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a softwarepackage, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures,or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another codesegment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information,data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments,parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via anysuitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing,network transmission, etc.

Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software,firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or anycombination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middlewareor microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessarytasks may be stored in a machine readable medium. A processor(s) mayperform the necessary tasks.

In one embodiment of the invention, a system for inverting a stack ofsheet-like materials is provided. The system may include a frame, firstelement, a second element, a compression mechanism, and a rotationaldevice. The first element may be movably coupled with the frame. Thestack of sheet-like materials may, merely by way of example, be a stackof perforated fanfold paper, a stack of separate papers, a stack ofenvelopes, a stack of pamphlets, and/or a stack of paper inserts. Merelyby way of example, various information may be printed onto thesheet-like materials, including, but not limited to, credit cardstatements, bank statements, brokerage statements, promotional programinformation, convenience checks, advertisements, applications,worksheets, order forms, invoices, packing information, shippingcontents, etc.

The first element may be movably coupled with the frame. The secondelement may also be movably coupled with the frame. In some embodiments,the first element and the second element may each include a pair offorks. In other embodiments, the first element and the second elementmay each include a substantially flat surface. In some embodiments, thefirst element may include a shaped support surface. The shaped supportsurface may be configured to alter the shape of the stack of sheet-likematerials. For instance, in an embodiment where the stack of sheet-likematerials is perforated fanfold paper, the shaped support surface mayalter the shape of the stack to have a flatter top than if the stackwere to be supported by a flat surface. Other materials may also stacksuch that their top is irregular, and the shaped support surface mayalter such stacks so that the second element, which may havesubstantially flat surfaces, may more congruously engage the top of thestack.

The compression mechanism may be configured to compress the stack ofsheet-like materials between the first element and the second element.In some embodiments, the compression mechanism may be configured to moveat least one of the first element and the second element relative to theother. For example, in one embodiment, the compression mechanism may beconfigured to move the first element toward the second element. Inanother embodiment, the compression mechanism may be configured to movethe second element toward the first element.

In some embodiments, the compression mechanism may include a motoroperably coupled with a first screw and a second screw. The first screwand second screw may rotate when the motor is activated. The first screwmay be operably coupled with the first element, causing the firstelement to move relative to the second element when the first screwrotates. The second screw may be operably coupled with the secondelement, causing the second element to move relative to the firstelement when the second screw rotates.

In an exemplary embodiment, the motor may have an output shaft thatrotates at about 90 rotations per minute. A first sprocket having about24 teeth may be fixedly coupled with the output shaft, and connect via achain with a second sprocket having about 12 teeth fixedly coupled withthe first screw and the second screw. The screws may have about 7threads per inch and be operably coupled with matching threaded holes atthe first element and the second element. In this configuration, thefirst and second element may move at about 24 inches per minute. Theframe may also include guide rods and matching guide orifices on thefirst element and the second element to assist in directing the firstelement and the second element in certain directions, possibly towardeach other. Other guide mechanisms may also be employed, includingchannels in the frame and matching protrusions on the first element andsecond element.

In various embodiments, the compression mechanism may include hydraulic,pneumatic, chain or belt mechanisms to compress the stack of sheet-likematerials between the first element and the second element. In someembodiments, the compression mechanism may include a limiting mechanismconfigured to limit the compression of the stack of sheet-likematerials. The amount of compression may be limited in order to preventthe first element, the second element, and/or any other component of thesystem from damaging the sheet-like materials.

In some embodiments, the limiting mechanism may comprise a clutch. Forexample, in an embodiment where a chain drive is employed by thecompression mechanism to transfer movement between a motor and the firstand/or second elements, a clutch may be present. The clutch may limitfurther rotation of the motor when the first element and/or secondelement encounter a certain amount of resistance by the stack ofsheet-like materials to more compression.

In other embodiments, the limiting mechanism may include other types ofdevices, for example a pressure switch. In one example, if thecompression mechanism includes hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, apressure switch may monitor the hydraulic or pneumatic pressure anddeactivate a pump supplying fluid to the cylinder(s) when a certainpressure is reached, the pressure corresponding to a certain compressionof the stack of sheet-like materials.

The rotational device may be configured to rotate the frame between thefirst position and the second position, where in the second position thestack of sheet-like materials is inverted relative to the firstposition. In some embodiments, the rotational device may include a motoroperably coupled with the frame. The frame may rotate between the firstposition and the second position when the motor is activated. In theseor other embodiments, the frame may be coupled with a chassis about apivot point and the motor may be coupled with a shaft connected with theframe at the pivot point to rotate the frame.

The motor in these embodiments may, merely by way of example, be coupledwith the shaft by a belt, chain, gearbox, and/or any other type ofmechanical transmission. In some embodiments, transmission systems suchas gearboxes and chain drives may be used to prevent accidental slippageof the frame in either rotational direction. A stepper motor may also beused directly or indirectly (through a transmission) to rotate the frameat the pivot point. In another possible embodiment the frame may rotateabout the pivot point, and a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder may exertthe force to rotate the frame. A pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder mayexert cam-like forces from a fixed point to a point on the frame tocause rotation about the pivot point.

A transmission from the rotational power source, such as a motor, mayalso provide a step down of rotational speeds produced by the rotationalpower source, possibly for safer and smoother operation. In an exemplaryembodiment, the rotational device may include a motor with a gear boxwith an output shaft may be used which produces about 3.2 rotations perminute. A first sprocket having about 9 teeth may be fixedly coupledwith the output shaft, and connect via a chain with a second sprockethaving about 40 teeth fixedly coupled with another shaft on the frame.This may allow for about a 180 degree rotation of the frame in about 42seconds, though in some embodiments, less than about 180 degrees ofrotation may be required to rotate between the first position and thesecond position. Some embodiments may also have limit switches and/orother mechanisms to temporarily disable the motor once rotation betweenthe first position and the second position, or vice-versa, has beencompleted.

In other embodiments, different configurations may be used to increaseor decrease the speed of rotation. In some embodiments, the desiredspeed of rotation may be determined based on operating variables. Forexample, in an embodiment where the sheet-like materials are printedpapers, the printer or other device delivering the printed papers to theinverting system, may only be able to continue producing printed papersand accumulate them for a certain time before the production machinemust shut down to await inverting and unloading of the printed papers.The certain time may, in some embodiments, dictate the configuration ofthe compression mechanism and rotational device, and other systemcomponents, so that the inverting of the printed papers does not requirethe production machine to be shut down.

In some embodiments, the system may also include a transport assembly.The transport assembly may be configured to receive and support thestack of sheet-like materials after they are inverted. A support surfaceon the transport assembly for supporting the inverted stack ofsheet-like materials may be configured such that it has channels orvoids for interfacing with the second element of the system to moreeasily receive the stack of sheet-like materials. Possible features ofthe transport assembly will be discussed in greater detail below inreference to FIG. 4.

In another embodiment, a system for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials is provided. The system may include a first means forsupporting the stack of sheet-like materials in a first position and asecond means for securing the stack of sheet-like materials in the firstposition and supporting the stack of sheet-like materials in a secondposition. The first means and the second means may each include a pairof forks. In other embodiments, the first means and the second means mayeach include a substantially flat surface. In some embodiments, thesystem may further include a means for altering the shape of the stackof sheet-like materials. For example, the first means may include ashaped support surface which may be configured to alter the shape of thestack of sheet-like materials.

The system may further include a means for compressing the stack ofsheet-like materials between the first means and the second means. Insome embodiments, the means for compressing may be configured to move atleast one of the first means and the second means relative to the other.Additionally, in some embodiments, the means for compressing may includea means for limiting the compression of the stack of sheet-likematerials. In some embodiments, the means for compressing may include amotor operably coupled with a first screw and a second screw. The firstscrew and second screw may rotate when the motor is activated. The firstscrew may be operably coupled with the first means, causing the firstmeans to move relative to the second means when the first screw rotates.The second screw may be operably coupled with the second means, causingthe second means to move relative to the first means when the secondscrew rotates.

The system may also include a means for rotating the stack of sheet-likematerials between the first position and the second position, where inthe second position the stack of sheet-like materials is invertedrelative to the first position. In some embodiments the means forrotating may include a motor operably coupled with the first means andthe second means. The means for rotating may include a frame with whichboth the first element and second element are coupled with. The firstmeans and the second means may rotate between the first position and thesecond position when the motor is active.

In another embodiment, a system for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials is provided. The system may include a delivery apparatus, aframe, a first element, a second element, a compression mechanism, amovement device, and a movement device. The delivery apparatus may beconfigured to deliver a plurality of sheet-like materials to a location.In some embodiments, the delivery apparatus may be a sorting machine, aprinter, a printer with a conveyor belt, and/or a conveyor belt coupleda printer or other device. Any of these delivery apparatuses may haveaccumulating systems, or employ accumulating methods to allow theapparatus to continue to produce sheet-like materials without deliveringthem to the inverting system. This may be advantageous because it mayallow the inverting system, without shut-down of the production device,to conduct inverting operations, and thereafter accept accumulatedsheet-like materials after inverting operations are complete.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least some portion of the deliveryapparatus may be a Océ brand printer. The printer may print onperforated type paper and deliver it to the first element to be invertedwhile, or after, a stack of the printed paper is produced. At least someother portion of this delivery apparatus may be a conveyor and maydeliver a continuous feed of stacked printed paper to the first element.The printed paper may be stacked on its side on the conveyor, with a topside of the stack falling toward the first element. The conveyor may beable to accumulate the printed paper, and allow the printer to continueprinting and producing printed papers, rather than continuing to deliverthe paper to the first element. This may be advantageous when theinverting system is inverting a stack of sheet-like materials, and isnot ready to accept more paper from the conveyor.

In these of other embodiments, the first element may be movably coupledwith the frame and configured to receive the plurality of sheet-likematerials from the delivery apparatus. Each sheet-like material may bereceived on top of a previously received sheet-like material to form thestack of sheet-like materials. The compression mechanism may beconfigured to lower the first element as the plurality of sheet-likematerials are received such that a top of the stack of sheet-likematerials may substantially be at or below the location. The compressionmechanism may also compress the stack of sheet-like materials betweenthe first element and the second element. The rotational device may beconfigured to rotate the frame from the first position to the secondposition, where in the second position the stack of sheet-like materialsis inverted relative to the first position.

The movement device may be configured to move at least a portion of thedelivery apparatus such that the location of delivery of the sheet-likematerials is substantially at or above the top of the stack ofsheet-like materials. This may allow the inverting system to accept alarger stack of sheet-like documents, possibly when the first element isat its lowest possible location. In some embodiments, the movementdevice may include a motor and a threaded element. The motor may beoperably coupled with a threaded element, and the threaded element maybe operably coupled with a screw. When the motor is active, the threadedelement may rotate and move along a length of the screw. The threadedelement may be operably coupled with at least a portion of the deliveryapparatus, and at least a portion of the delivery apparatus may movewhen the threaded element moves along the length of the screw. Atransmission system may be used to step-up or step-down the speed ofrotation of the threaded element to modify the speed at which theportion of the delivery device is moved. In an exemplary embodiment, thescrew may have about 7 threads per inch, the motor may rotate at about1750 rotations per minute, and a mechanical transmission operablycoupling the motor with the threaded element may have an overall gearingratio of about 50 to 1. This may result in movement of the deliverydevice at a speed in the range of about 5 inches per minute to about 12inches per minute. Additionally, other configurations may also beincluded in movement devices of the invention, including, but notlimited to, pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and/or other typesof mechanical power transmission systems.

In another embodiment, a method for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials is provided. The method may include a step of receiving, on afirst element, sheet-like materials in a sequence to form the stack ofsheet-like materials. A first received sheet-like material may be at abottom of the stack of sheet-like materials, and a last receivedsheet-like material may be at a top of the stack of sheet-likematerials. The method may also include a step of compressing the stackof sheet-like materials between the first element and a second element.The method may further include a step of rotating the compressed stackof sheet-like materials. After rotation, the first received sheet-likematerial may be at the top of the stack of sheet-like materials, and thelast received sheet-like material may be at the bottom of the stack ofsheet-like materials. In some embodiments the method may also include astep of altering the location where the sheet-like materials arereceived.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a system 100 of the invention for inverting astack of sheet-like materials is shown. Initially a first element 103and a second element 106, each shown as a pair of forks in thisembodiment, may be located closer together along the length of a frame109 than is shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, first element 103 may be closerto the level of a delivery apparatus 112, shown here as a conveyor belt,when collection of sheet-like material begins. Second element 106 mayalso be lower, as its operation is related to the operation of firstelement 103 by a compression mechanism 200 which is not visible here,but will be discussed in greater detail in FIG. 2. Though in thisembodiment frame 109 is shown perpendicular to the ground, in otherembodiments, it may begin the inverting process at an angle so that thesheet-like materials are supported by both first element 103 and frame109.

Sheet-like materials may be delivered to a raised first element 103 bydelivery apparatus 112. As the sheet-like material is received,compression mechanism 200 may lower first element 103, possibly inresponse to an optical or other sensor indicating that the stack heighthas reached a height where delivery apparatus 112 may no longer be ableto stack sheet-like materials onto the stack. After compressionmechanism 200 has lowered first element 103, sheet-like materials willcontinue to be collected by first element 103. Compression mechanism 200may continue to lower first element 103 until it has reached a bottommost point at which it cannot be lowered further. This may be indicatedto the compression mechanism by a limit or other type of switch which istriggered by the presence of first element 103 at its lowest possiblelocation on frame 109.

When first element 103 has reached its lowest point, a movement device115 may raise the level which delivery apparatus 112 deposits sheet-likematerials onto the stack on first element 103. In this embodiment,movement device 115 may include a motor 118, a screw 121, a threadedelement 124, and a mechanical transmission 127. Screw 124 may remainstationary between a bottom surface 130 and a frame 133. When motor 118is activated in a first direction, mechanical transmission 127, shownhere as two sprockets and a chain, transmits rotational motion frommotor 118 to threaded element 124. As threaded element 124 rotates, itmay climb screw 121, causing vertical arms 136, 139 to rise. This motionin turn raises delivery apparatus 112 will be raised, possibly around apivot point out of view of the drawing in FIG. 1. When motor 118 isactivated in a reverse direction, delivery apparatus 112 may be lowered.In some embodiments, movement device 115 may raise delivery apparatus ata certain rate corresponding to the rate at which sheet-like materialsstack on first element 103. In other embodiments, a sensor may be usedto incrementally raise the delivery apparatus as the stack of sheet-likematerials incrementally rises in height.

FIG. 2 shows the compression mechanism 200 on the back side of frame109. After the desired height of stack of sheet-like materials has beenreached, compression mechanism 200 may be activated. In someembodiments, compression mechanism 200 may be activated manually, whilein other embodiments compression mechanism 200 may be activatedautomatically because of input at some sensory device. Compressionmechanism 200 may include a motor 203, a clutch 206, a mechanicaltransmission 209, a first screw 212, and a second screw 215. Whencompression mechanism 200 is activated, motor 203 may be activated in afirst direction. The rotational motion from motor 203 may be transmittedby mechanical transmission 209, shown here as two sprockets and a chain,to first screw 212 and second screw 215.

Second screw 215 may be operably coupled with second element 106 via athreaded orifice 218. First screw 212 may likewise be operably coupledwith first element 106 via a threaded orifice which is not visible on inthis figure. First screw and second screw, along with their matchingthreaded orifices may have reversed thread directions from each other.In this manner, rotation in one direction by motor 203 will cause firstelement 103 and second element 106 to move toward each other, whilerotation in the opposite direction will cause first element 103 andsecond element 106 to move away from each other.

Guide rods 221, 224 passing through bushings 227, 230, along with theshape of channels in frame 109, may assist in guiding first element 103and second element 106 in a more substantially linear direction. Clutch206 may be a slip clutch, and may not allow rotation motion from motor203 to be transmitted to mechanical transmission 209 once a certainamount of compression has been reached between first element 103 andsecond element 106. The same clutch could also prohibit transmission ofrotation from motor 203 to mechanical transmission 209 if first element103 and second element 106 are restricted from opening any further byframe 109 or other component at a maximum open position.

Also seen on FIG. 2 is a shaft 233 attached with frame 109 by couplingblocks 236, 239. Shaft 233 may be the shaft about which frame 209 isrotated by the rotational device 300 which will be discussed in greaterdetail with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of rotational device 300. Rotational device 300may include shaft 233, with which frame 109 is fixedly coupled, a motor303, and a mechanical transmission 306. Mechanical transmission 306 mayinclude a gearbox 309, a first sprocket (hidden from view, but fixedlycoupled with the output shaft of gearbox 309), a chain 312, and secondsprocket 315. As motor 303 turns, rotational motion is transferredthrough mechanical transmission 306 to shaft 233 which rotates frame 109and any stack compressed between first element 103 and second element106 on frame 109. Limit or other types of switches may prevent motor 303from continuing to turn once frame 109 has reached its final endposition on either side of the system.

FIG. 4 shows a transport assembly 400 as it might interface with theinverter system 100 after a stack of sheet-like materials has beeninverted. Transport assembly 400 may have a support surface 403 which,in this embodiment, includes three forks on each side of transportassembly 400 (one is hidden from view) which are configured to interfacewith the two forks of second element 106. Once a compressed stack ofsheet-like material has been inverted and is being supported by secondelement 106, transport assembly 400 is moved into place such thatsupport surface 403 is below the elevated and compressed stack ofsheet-like materials.

Compression device 200 is then activated and the stack of sheet-likematerials is lowered. The lowest point of travel for second element 106is below the level of support surface 403, and when second element 106moves past support surface 403, the stack of materials is supported bythe support surface 403 rather than second element 106. Note that insome embodiments, support surface 403 and a back 406 of transportassembly 400 may be constructed at an angle to encourage the stack ofsheet-like materials to lean toward back 406. This may be a more stablesupporting position than if the stack of sheet-like materials wasstacked vertically on a flat surface.

Transport assembly 400 may then be moved from the inverter system 100 sothat the rotational device 300 and compression mechanism 200 may beactivated to return the inverter system 100 to a position to continue toreceive sheet-like material. Transport assembly 400 may also then bemoved to another apparatus to continue processing the sheet-likematerials which are now inverted from their original received position.Note that transport assembly 400 may have two sides with supportsurfaces 403 so that more stacks of inverted documents can be acceptedbefore moving transport assembly to the next material processingapparatus.

FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method for inverting a stack ofsheet-like materials. At block 505, sheet-like material is received,possibly at a first element 103. At block 510, a determination is madeas to whether the stack formed by the received sheet-like material hasreached a certain height. The certain height may be a preset heightwhich is indicative of the maximum level at which sheet-like materialmay be properly received from the apparatus supplying it. If the stackhas not reached the certain height, material will continue to bereceived at block 505.

If the stack has reached the certain height, at block 515 adetermination is made as to whether the first element 103, or othercomponent which receives the sheet-like material, is at it's lowestpossible level. If the first element 103, or other component, is not atits lowest possible level, the first element 103, or other component,may be lowered at block 520.

If the first element 103, or other sheet-like material receivingcomponent is at it's lowest possible level, at block 525 a determinationis made as to whether the portion of the delivery apparatus 112 whichdetermines the location of sheet-like material delivery is at itshighest possible level. If the portion of the delivery apparatus 112 isnot at its highest possible level, then at least the portion of thedelivery apparatus 112 may be raised at block 530.

If the portion of the delivery apparatus 112 is at its highest possiblelevel, at block 535 the inverting system is moved away from the deliveryapparatus 112. This may allow for clearance for the eventual rotation ofthe stack, where such rotation might not be feasible when the invertingsystem is in the close proximity to the delivery apparatus 112 necessaryfor receiving the sheet-like materials.

At block 540, the sheet-like materials are compressed, possibly betweenthe first element 103 and a second element 106. At block 545, the frame109 is rotates, thereby inverting the stack of sheet-like materialswhich was compressed at block 540. Note that compression of the stack ofsheet-like materials need be only the minimal amount of compressionnecessary to provide stability of the stack during rotation.

At block 550, the transport assembly 400 is interfaced with the invertersystem. The stack of sheet-like materials is decompressed and lowered atblock 555, and thereafter supported by the transport assembly asdescribed above. At block 560, the transport assembly 560 is moved awayfrom the inverter assembly. At block 565, the frame 109 is rotated backinto its original position. At block 570, the compression mechanism 200may be activated to reposition the first element 103, or othersheet-like material receiving component into place. At block 575, anyportion of the delivery apparatus that was moved previously is moved toit's initial position, and the entire process may be repeated to invertanother stack of sheet-like materials.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system 600in which some portion of embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented. This example illustrates a computer system 600 such as maybe used, in whole, in part, or with various modifications, to providecontrol of the compression mechanism, rotational device, movementdevice, and/or other components of the invention such as those discussedabove. For example, various functions of the compression mechanism andmovement device may be controlled by the computer system 600, including,merely by way of example, monitoring the height of the stack ofsheet-like materials to determine when to lower the first element and/orraise the delivery apparatus to allow more sheet-like materials to bestacked.

The computer system 600 is shown comprising hardware elements that maybe electrically coupled via a bus 690. The hardware elements may includeone or more central processing units 610, one or more input devices 620(e.g., a mouse, a keyboard, etc.), and one or more output devices 630(e.g., a display device, a printer, etc.). The computer system 600 mayalso include one or more storage device 640. By way of example, storagedevice(s) 640 may be disk drives, optical storage devices, solid-statestorage device such as a random access memory (“RAM”) and/or a read-onlymemory (“ROM”), which can be programmable, flash-updateable and/or thelike.

The computer system 600 may additionally include a computer-readablestorage media reader 650, a communications system 660 (e.g., a modem, anetwork card (wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device,Bluetooth™ device, cellular communication device, etc.), and workingmemory 680, which may include RAM and ROM devices as described above. Insome embodiments, the computer system 600 may also include a processingacceleration unit 670, which can include a digital signal processor, aspecial-purpose processor and/or the like.

The computer-readable storage media reader 650 can further be connectedto a computer-readable storage medium, together (and, optionally, incombination with storage device(s) 640) comprehensively representingremote, local, fixed, and/or removable storage devices plus storagemedia for temporarily and/or more permanently containingcomputer-readable information. The communications system 660 may permitdata to be exchanged with a network, system, computer and/or othercomponent described above.

The computer system 600 may also comprise software elements, shown asbeing currently located within a working memory 680, including anoperating system 684 and/or other code 688. It should be appreciatedthat alternate embodiments of a computer system 600 may have numerousvariations from that described above. For example, customized hardwaremight also be used and/or particular elements might be implemented inhardware, software (including portable software, such as applets), orboth. Furthermore, connection to other computing devices such as networkinput/output and data acquisition devices may also occur.

Software of computer system 600 may include code 688 for implementingany or all of the function of the various elements of the architectureas described herein. For example, software, stored on and/or executed bya computer system such as system 600, can provide the functions of thecompression mechanism, rotational device, movement device, and/or othercomponents of the invention such as those discussed above. Methodsimplementable by software on some of these components have beendiscussed above in more detail.

The invention has now been described in detail for the purposes ofclarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials, wherein thesystem comprises: a frame; a first element movably coupled with theframe; a second element movably coupled with the frame; a compressionmechanism configured to compress the stack of sheet-like materialsbetween the first element and the second element; and a rotationaldevice configured to rotate the frame between a first position and asecond position, wherein in the second position the stack of sheet-likematerials is inverted relative to the first position.
 2. The system forinverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim 1, wherein the stackof sheet-like materials comprises a stack of fanfold paper.
 3. Thesystem for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim 1, whereinthe first element and the second element each comprise a pair of forks.4. The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim 1,wherein the first element comprises a shaped support surface configuredto alter the shape of the stack of sheet-like materials.
 5. The systemfor inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim 1, wherein thecompression mechanism is configured to move at least one of the firstelement and the second element relative to the other.
 6. The system forinverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim 1, wherein thecompression mechanism comprises: a motor operably coupled with a firstscrew and a second screw, wherein the first screw and the second screwrotate when the motor is active; the first screw operably coupled withthe first element, wherein the first element moves relative to thesecond element when the first screw rotates; and the second screwoperably coupled with the second element, wherein the second elementmoves relative to first element when the second screw rotates.
 7. Thesystem for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim 1, whereinthe compression mechanism comprises a limiting mechanism configured tolimit the compression of the stack of sheet-like materials.
 8. Thesystem for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim 7, whereinthe limiting mechanism comprises a clutch.
 9. The system for inverting astack of sheet-like materials of claim 1, wherein the rotational devicecomprises a motor operably coupled with the frame, wherein the framerotates between the first position and the second position when themotor is active.
 10. The system for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a transportassembly configured to: receive the stack of sheet-like materials afterthey are inverted; and support the stack of sheet-like materials afterthey are inverted.
 11. A system for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials, the system comprising: a first means for supporting the stackof sheet-like materials in a first position; a second means for securingthe stack of sheet-like materials in the first position and supportingthe stack of sheet-like materials in a second position; a means forcompressing the stack of sheet-like materials between the first meansand the second means; and a means for rotating the stack of sheet-likematerials between the first position and the second position, wherein inthe second position the stack of sheet-like materials is invertedrelative to the first position.
 12. The system for inverting a stack ofsheet-like materials of claim 11, wherein the first means and the secondmeans each comprise a pair of forks.
 13. The system for inverting astack of sheet-like materials of claim 11, wherein the system furthercomprises a means for altering the shape of the stack of sheet-likematerials.
 14. The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materialsof claim 11, wherein the means for compressing is configured to move atleast one of the first means and the second means relative to the other.15. The system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim11, wherein the means for compressing comprises: a motor operablycoupled with a first screw and a second screw, wherein the first screwand the second screw rotate when the motor is active; the first screwoperably coupled with the first means, wherein the first means movesrelative to the second means when the first screw rotates; the secondscrew operably coupled with the second means, wherein the second meansmoves relative to first means when the second screw rotates.
 16. Thesystem for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim 11,wherein the means for compressing comprises a means for limiting thecompression of the stack of sheet-like materials.
 17. The system forinverting a stack of sheet-like materials of claim 11, wherein the meansfor rotating comprises a motor operably coupled with the first means andthe second means, wherein the first means and the second means rotatebetween the first position and the second position when the motor isactive.
 18. A system for inverting a stack of sheet-like materials, thesystem comprising: a delivery apparatus configured to deliver aplurality of sheet-like materials to a location; a frame; a firstelement movably coupled with the frame and configured to receive theplurality of sheet-like materials from the delivery apparatus, whereineach sheet-like material is received on top of a previously receivedsheet-like material to form the stack of sheet-like materials; a secondelement movably coupled with the frame; a compression mechanismconfigured to: lower the first element as the plurality of sheet-likematerials are received such that a top of the stack of sheet-likematerials is substantially at or below the location; and compress thestack of sheet-like materials between the first element and the secondelement; a movement device configured to move at least a portion of thedelivery apparatus such that the location is substantially at or abovethe top of the stack of sheet-like materials; and a rotational deviceconfigured to rotate frame from a first position to a second position,wherein in the second position the stack of sheet-like materials isinverted relative to the first position.
 19. The system for inverting astack of sheet-like materials of claim 18, wherein the deliveryapparatus comprises a conveyor belt.
 20. The system for inverting astack of sheet-like materials of claim 18, wherein the movement devicecomprises: a motor operably coupled with a threaded element, wherein thethreaded element is operably coupled with a screw, and wherein thethreaded element rotates and moves along a length of the screw when themotor is active; and the threaded element operably coupled with at leasta portion of the delivery apparatus, wherein at least a portion of thedelivery apparatus moves when the threaded element moves along thelength of the screw.
 21. A method for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials, wherein the method comprises: receiving, on a first element,sheet-like materials in a sequence to form the stack of sheet-likematerials, wherein a first received sheet-like material is at a bottomof the stack of sheet-like materials, and wherein a last receivedsheet-like material is at a top of the stack of sheet-like materials;compressing the stack of sheet-like materials between the first elementand a second element; and rotating the compressed stack of sheet-likematerials, wherein after rotation, the first received sheet-likematerial is at the top of the stack of sheet-like materials, and whereinthe last received sheet-like material is at the bottom of the stack ofsheet-like materials.
 22. The method for inverting a stack of sheet-likematerials of claim 21, wherein the sheet-like materials are received ata location, and wherein the method further comprises altering thelocation where the sheet-like materials are received.